Ruby Princess Internet Access

[lazyriver]

Posted this in technology section also. Normally go off the grid when cruising, this time cannot. The internet package will work the same as on land. E-mail and access to web based programs. Will phone work and should we plan on taking our laptop

Thanks

Jim and Chris

[mmckm]

Should be ok. Phone for internet will work. We bring a lap top just easier to sit in room using it. Its not as fast as on land but never had a problem. A lot better then a few years ago.

[Colo Cruiser]

Posted this in technology section also. Normally go off the grid when cruising, this time cannot. The internet package will work the same as on land. E-mail and access to web based programs. Will phone work and should we plan on taking our laptop

Thanks

Jim and Chris

 

Yes, however the system can be slow and painful and sometimes just not available. Not something to counted on for sure.

[skynight]

Posted this in technology section also. Normally go off the grid when cruising, this time cannot. The internet package will work the same as on land. E-mail and access to web based programs. Will phone work and should we plan on taking our laptop

Thanks

Jim and Chris

Internet is satellite and slower that you may be used to.

The ships have wi-fi so yes you can use your laptop. Some areas of the ship have better connection than others.

Cell Phones:

Besides your provider's roaming charges, if any, you will be charged by the min for every min you are connected to the maritime cell service. Not certain, but believe it is over $2/min. There are ways to use a phone for texting and data that are less expensive.

"Every Princess ship is equipped with an advanced cellular communications network. This network allows you to send as well as receive voice calls, text messages and data services on your personal mobile device. Mobile device service is available for use when the ship is at sea, in international waters and in other areas where such use is permitted. All charges will be conveniently billed to you by your mobile device provider.

For guests on Royal and Regal Princess: Your mobile phone provider must have a roaming agreement with Maritime Communications Partner AS (MCP) in order for you to use your phone with this service. Not all prepaid phones are supported. Your mobile phone must be able to roam internationally. BlackBerrys and other mobile data services may continue to receive messages while roaming on the ship's network. For questions about your service or about pricing and billing, please contact your mobile phone provider's customer service department prior to sailing.

For guests on all other ships: Your mobile phone provider must have a roaming agreement with Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) in order for you to use your phone with this service. Not all prepaid devices are supported. Your mobile device must be able to roam internationally. BlackBerrys and other mobile data services may continue to receive messages while roaming on the ship's network. For questions about your service, pricing or billing please contact your mobile device provider's customer service department prior to sailing."

[caribill]

Posted this in technology section also. Normally go off the grid when cruising, this time cannot. The internet package will work the same as on land. E-mail and access to web based programs. Will phone work and should we plan on taking our laptop

Thanks

Jim and Chris

 

E-mail and web based programs will work on your smart phone or on your laptop.

 

As others have said, expect speed to be normally a little less than old dial-up used to be. Speed is usually faster between mid-night and 7 AM when most passengers are not using the Internet.

 

Internet access is not always guaranteed. Some times it might be unavailable due to ship's position in relation to the satellite to be used. Sometimes a part breaks and is not available until some future port.

 

If signal is week in your cabin, prop the cabin door open a little to get a much better signal.

[IECalCruiser]

We find the sweet spot to be our 9.7" iPads. Our iPhones will work OK but the larger iPad screens are much better to use. We also bring my laptop but I use that more for downloading photos and scanning documents so I don't need to take paper home.

[satxdiver]

Ship WiFi is via satellite and is slow. The more pax are logged onto it the slower it gets and does sometimes drop connections. You have to log on the ship WiFi and pay the fee. Packages are offered that are the best value. Websites that have a lot of graphics are extremely slow and many times will time out before loading. WiFi reception is dependent on where you are located on the ship. The forward bow and rear stern areas are more sporadic in reception. Piazza on deck 5 usually has great access.

 

The ship has a cell tower that is active anytime the ship is in international waters. You are billed for its use through your local carrier so check with them as to charges and if any packages are available. The charges can add up and data use is particularly expensive.

 

The ship WiFi website has a lot of information like daily schedule, your folio charges etc and is free to use. Also it is free to access princess.com on the ship at anytime. So take your smart phone for ship information if nothing else.

[easyboy]

Normally go off the grid when cruising, this time cannot. The internet package will work the same as on land.

Jim and Chris

I seriously doubt that.

[Lucky TGO]

I use my IPad Pro and love it. I talk to my kids every night useing FaceTime.

It works great from anywhere on the ship and in my cabin. We received 500 Internet mins for free so I use it all the time.

Tony

[CruiseElla]

When in port, as soon as you are off the ship, will your phone work on its own carrier network and not use the ship wifi? Or, do you need to be a distance away from the ship?

[IECalCruiser]

When in port, as soon as you are off the ship, will your phone work on its own carrier network and not use the ship wifi? Or, do you need to be a distance away from the ship?

You are sort of talking about two different things. In port you are talking about connecting to your carrier's cellular service, not wifi. On board the ship you are connected to the ship's wifi, but you must be logged in to use wifi. Once logged off, you will not connect to the ship's wifi. If you have cellular data roaming turned off, you will only connect to your carriers cellular service. We are often able to connect to our carrier when we are miles off shore.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[CruiseElla]

Thanks for the information.

[easyboy]

When in port, as soon as you are off the ship, will your phone work on its own carrier network and not use the ship wifi? Or, do you need to be a distance away from the ship?

If you plan to use your phone in port or inland, you may want to check with your carrier if your plan covers free text messaging. Ours include that.

[CruiseElla]

If you plan to use your phone in port or inland, you may want to check with your carrier if your plan covers free text messaging. Ours include that.

 

I did find out that calls, and texts, are covered under our plan just as if we were home. I just wish I could use my cell phone 4g internet, and not the ship's internet.

[easyboy]

I did find out that calls, and texts, are covered under our plan just as if we were home. I just wish I could use my cell phone 4g internet, and not the ship's internet.

Nice to know. Just remember, just in port, not while ship is sailing.

[pablo222]

When in port, as soon as you are off the ship, will your phone work on its own carrier network and not use the ship wifi? Or, do you need to be a distance away from the ship?

 

There are two services available on the ship:

wifi and cellular

 

WiFi is (absent a problem, or extreme location) always available,

at sea or in port.

 

Ship cellular is available only at sea.